Heritage City sees number of illicit drug overdoses increase
By The Nelson Daily Staff
Nelson Police Department is witnessing first-hand the effects of a lethal drug supply that has caused Interior Health to issue a warning for the entire region.
Nelson Police said in a City of Nelson media release Friday that during a recent 48-hour period, officers responded to 16 overdose calls.
On Friday, officers again responded to a call of an unresponsive male lying in an alley, luckily spotted by a passer-by.
Nelson Police said Sgt. Hoy and Cst. Therrien arrived shortly after and determined the male was not breathing and a pulse could not be located. Nelson Police said the officers administered several doses of naloxone the individual, along with other first aid.
“The officers were able to bring a weak pulse back and some shallow breathing,” the Nelson Police media release said.
“Fire and then medical services arrived on the scene to provide more advanced first aid; however, the male remained in a state of distress.”
“Medical staff on scene commented the individual likely would not have survived if officers hadn’t arrived when they did and administered the first aid they had,” the media release added.
Chief Constable Donovan Fisher of the NPD, who also attended the scene as it unfolded, said it is amazing to see how routine these drug overdoses have become.
“Officers show up, save a life, stick around to assist Fire and Emergency Health Services, then clean up whatever debris is left and move on to the next call, after they have just saved a life,” Chief Fisher explained.
Chief Fisher, who saw a similar trend of drug overdoses in Nelson last month, said this can be said for all the First Responders in our community.
“There are many people who would not be here today if it was not for our First Responders who are regularly performing heroic acts,” Chief Fisher said.
“I am very proud of my officers and the work they do every day.”
